The team's experience begins to show in the midfield and on defense. Co-captain Laura Flynn (one goal, two assists) is a three-year starter in the midfield, and co-captain Martha Schneider was a key to the 9-5-1 run to the ECAC tournament two years ago. Junior Beth Morgan and sophomores Megan Hall and Susan DeLellis offer added flexibility.

The defense is anchored by the third (and last) co-captain, Meg Berte and senior goalie Brooke Donahoe (1.30 goals-against-average in 1992). Juniors Genevieve Chelius (13 games in 1992) and Caroline Schreiber (10 games) and sophomore Sara Noonan are also working out on defense. Freshmen Meg Kassakian and Cara James could see playing time--illustrating both Harvard's strengths and weakness.

The strengths? Depth and a solid defense. The weakness? An untested offense.

With youth, the gamble is always that they will catch fire and produce, but the flip side isn't something Wheaton wants to think about.

The University of Guelph (Canada) travelled through New England last week, playing Harvard, Boston College and Brown. The results, Wheaton said, were encouraging: Guelph defeated BC 1-0, tied Brown 0-0, and lost to Harvard, 2-1.

It's the preseason. It means nothing. But it feels good.

"Last year was so many `what ifs,'" Wheaton said. "I feel like we never played up to our potential. This year, I want to contend for the Ivy title. It's not always in our control, but I'm pretty optimistic."

WOMEN'S SOCCER Coach: Tim Wheaton Captains: Meg Berte, Martha Schneider, Laura Flynn 1992 Overall Record: 5-82 1992 Ivy Record: 2-4-1 1992 Ivy Finish: 5th

WOMEN'S FIELD HOCKEY: '93 SCHEDULE 9/18  Columbia  11:00 a.m. 9/19  at Maine  3:30 p.m. 9/25  at William & Mary  4:00 p.m. 9/26  vs. Geo Mason (@ W&M)  2:30 p.m. 9/29  at Boston College  3:30 p.m. 10/2  at Cornell  11:00 a.m. 10/6  Connecticut  3:00 p.m. 10/9  Pennsylvania  2:00 p.m. 10/16  at Yale  11:00 a.m. 10/19  at New Hamshire  3:00 p.m. 10/23  Princeton  11:00 a.m. 10/27  Providence  2:00 p.m. 10/30  at Dartmouth  12:00 noon. 11/3  Holy Cross  2:00 p.m. 11/7  at Brown  2:00 p.m.